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Sustainable Construction ExperienceNorth Branch Construction was involved in implementing construction of sustainable designed projects long before “green construction” was a common term. In 1997, North Branch completed construction of its first official “Energy Crafted Home” in Bedford, NH, which also qualified (scoring 90.4 out of 100) for the EPA Energy Star designation as well. It was one of the first in the state for a home of this size (30,000 sq. ft.). This home featured:
Since that time, we have completed several projects which have received thousands of dollars in Energy Star rebates, including the Wadleigh Falls Road Senior Housing project in Newmarket, NH, which recently received approximately $77,000 in rebates as a qualifying EPA Energy Star Home. North Branch was awarded the Energy Star for Homes Outstanding Achievement Award in 2007. North Branch has also completed several projects with materials considered “environmentally friendly”, including standing lodgepole pine from Wyoming used in the exterior columns, recycled lumber from Washington State, chemical free earth weave wool carpets and windows manufactured out of wood from managed forests. LEED Certification Sustainable construction techniques result in more than just energy savings. In today’s “green construction”, a building is evaluated for more than just construction techniques. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, evaluates the environmental performance from a “whole building” perspective over the building’s life cycle. North Branch recently completed three projects which qualify for LEED Certification: the Portsmouth Public Library in Portsmouth, NH received Silver Level LEED Certification in 2007 and the McLane and Fahey Residence Halls at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH received Gold Level LEED Certification in 2008. North Branch is currently awaiting Silver Level Certification on our own new corporate headquarters building in Concord, NH. Please refer to the Project Case Histories for details of these projects. North Branch Construction puts it’s money where it mouth is and recently moved into our own new corporate headquarters in Concord, NH, as the first LEED registered general contractor corporate headquarters building in the state. North Branch purchased an existing building located at 76 Old Turnpike Road and additions and renovations began in the late summer of 2007. The design of the new headquarters encompasses a wide range of sustainable and energy efficient design and construction concepts and methods. The construction site was chosen and engineered carefully to reduce the environmental impact of the project during and after the construction. Some of the many sustainability objectives of the project are: reduction of water usage, reduction of waste through recycling, conservation of resources by using materials with high recycled content, usage of regionally manufactured materials. The design of the new building utilized the existing structure in order to reduce demolition waste and reduce a need for new resources. At the same time, the new building envelope was designed to maximize energy conservation through the use of high-efficiency insulation and fenestration. Energy efficiency was also a leading factor in the design of the building’s HVAC and electrical systems, including sophisticated lighting control systems, which not only improve the company’s energy bill, but also the occupants overall well-being. Numerous indoor air quality and occupant comfort measures were introduced, to include increased ventilation, improved thermal control, abundance of daylight and views to the outdoors from most occupied spaces. Finally, North Branch established an education program, based on their experience with the new facility, which upon completion of the building, will be used to promote sustainability and energy efficiency ideas among the North Branch employees, clients and business partners. |
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North Branch Construction, Inc. 76 Old Turnpike Road, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-3233 - FAX (603) 225-7165 Our mission: To provide a level of value, quality and service unrivaled in the construction industry.
North Branch Construction is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.(NH/VT Chapter), NH Preservation Alliance, Granite State Chapter #218 of the National Association of Women in Construction, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce and Plan NH.
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